DRC Launches Its First Pilot Artisanal Mining Zone, Opening a New Era for Mining Sector Reform
The professionalization of artisanal mining in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has reached a decisive milestone. The Ministry of Mines has officially launched the country’s first viable Pilot Artisanal Mining Zone (ZEA), bringing to life one of the flagship reforms championed by the Minister of Mines, Louis Watum Kabamba. The initiative aims to formalize artisanal mining on a sustainable basis while strengthening governance across the sector.
Kasulo: A Laboratory for Reform
The official launch took place in Kasulo on Thursday, July 16, 2026, in the Lualaba Province, where more than 5,000 artisanal miners have been relocated.
Previously operating illegally at the T17 site, located within the concession of Kamoto Copper Company (KCC), the miners will now carry out their activities in Artisanal Mining Zone (ZEA) 786, a legal, secure environment fully compliant with the provisions of the Mining Code.
The ceremony was chaired by the Director General of SAEMAPE, Jean-Paul Kapongo, representing the Minister of Mines, in the presence of Lualaba Governor Fifi Masuka Saini, provincial authorities, government technical services, and representatives of mining cooperatives.
A Reform Designed to Strengthen Governance
Beyond simply relocating miners, this first pilot ZEA reflects the government’s determination to end uncontrolled artisanal mining, improve mineral traceability, and enhance working conditions for artisanal miners.
The reform also seeks to increase public revenues while reducing conflicts between industrial and artisanal mining operations.
By organizing miners within designated areas, authorities expect to strengthen oversight of mining activities, facilitate the marketing of minerals through official channels, and meet international standards for transparency and responsible mining.
A Model Intended for Nationwide Expansion
The government considers this first ZEA to be a pilot project that will eventually be replicated in other mining provinces across the country.
By progressively structuring artisanal mining, Kinshasa aims to transform this subsector into a genuine driver of economic development, job creation, and social stability.
For Louis Watum Kabamba, the reform represents a major milestone in the modernization of Congolese mining governance. If the Kasulo model delivers the expected results, it could become a national benchmark for accelerating the formalization of artisanal mining and strengthening the DRC’s credibility in international strategic mineral markets.
Héritier Maila
Source: Ministry of Mines
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